The 64 we purchased last year came with a 63 shop manual and a 64 supplement manual.Is there any way to tell if these are original or reproduction?They have white textured covers with blue print on the outside and black print on the inside.If they are original I would like to seal them up for display and order the reproductions for use.Thanks Don.
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Re: 63-64 Shop Manual & Supplement
Don,
I am not sure about manuals as early as yours, but in the 1968-1972 range the quality of the photos in the manuals deteriorates significantly for the later printings from the original manufacturer, Helm Inc.
I am not sure if those later reprints qualify as reproductions since it is still by the OEM manufacturer, but the drop in quality is noticeable.
Terry
Terry -
Re: 63-64 Shop Manual & Supplement
The repro manual for my '63 is very comparable to my original, but the repro is thinner -- likely due to a difference in paper stock. The thickness of the original is in the range of 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 inch. The repro is about 3/4 inch thick. Both have the same texture cover, but it's getting a bit tough to tell as the original is somewhat soiled. Photo quality is nearly the same, but the repro is just a bit darker. Actually, my repro manual is approaching "vintage" age as I believe I purchased it in the late seventies, so I can't speak of recent versions.
DukeComment
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Re: 63-64 Shop Manual & Supplement
Duke, You are right. I have two manuals and the 64 sup. all bought new from Chey in 63 and 64 (Helms) I kept one nearly new the other is pretty much shot since I always did my own work after the first dealer I took it back to for a high reading oil preasure guage said " Gee, I never saw one like that." I closed the hood and left never to return to a dealer again for service. I am writing you a note offline so I will talk with you soon. DaveComment
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Re: Stupid Dealer stories
We could start a thread of why we never went back:
When I saw a 409 out of a 60 Impala standing on the bell housing and the mechanic buzzing off the oil pan bolts and the oil running into the clutch - I inquired what the problem was. The car was almost brand new - White/red hardtop. By the way the engine was upended over the floor drain in the middle of the shop - but this was 1960.
Problem was it was burning oil - rings wouldn't seat so they were changing rings. I wondered if the owner was willing to exchange ring seating for clutch slippage. I never looked back.
Terry
TerryComment
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Re: Stupid Dealer stories
How about the auto trans shop I worked for between my second and third year of college? The owner used to spray-paint the torque converters and then charge the customer for a new one. When I confronted the crook on it, he fired me. I decided to do my own work from then on...
Bill BraunComment
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Re: 63-64 Shop Manual & Supplement
I purchased my 63-64 Corvette shop manuals in 1968 from Helm for my 64. I don't know how different these older books are from what is available now. Mine have held up pretty good, the 64 supplement is in better shape than the 63 manual. They are the daily remberance of my first Corvette along with some pictures. Wish I had written the VIN number in the shop manual so I could try and find that special car again.Comment
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Re: 63-64 Shop Manual & Supplement
The reproductions have the words "Reprinted with Permission of General Motors Corporation" in the lower right-hand corner of the first page. There is now a repro. of the '63 Shop Manual printed on heavy paper, just like the original, but the illustrations are still not as clear as the original ones.Comment
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Re: Stupid Dealer stories
That must have been a 348 you were looking at in 1960. The 409 didn't come out until late 1961, and then only three hundred cars were so equipped.Comment
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Re: Stupid Dealer stories
Sorry, Terry--the 409 was not produced until late 61 model year--that was a 348 engine you saw and mentioned.Comment
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Re: Stupid Dealer stories
Shows you what I knew. Had those funny valve covers.
Terry
TerryComment
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Re: 63-64 Shop Manual & Supplement
I have both original and reproductions. The reproduction has the words "Reprinted with Permission of General Motors Corporation." in the lower right corner of the first page.Comment
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